pastor gabriel salguero, who is president of the national latino evangelical coalition, says religion is often an underestimated part of the city's life. >> faith leaders are thought leaders just like wall street and the government. we are one section that influences thought and the direction of the city. >> reporter: the final sunday stop is where it all began, the historic eldridge street synagogue, once the jewel of the neighborhood. >> people coming through these doors when it was built 125 years ago, were living in very small apartments, it was very dirty and very crowded out those streets here. and as you came in here, you really transitioned into another world. >> reporter: by the 1960s, the building had fallen into disrepair. but, after a $20 million restoration project, the synagogue has become a museum, preserving the history and offering programs to help jews from other neighborhoods explore their traditions, such as this special event to celebrate tu b'shevat, the new year for trees. "a journey's" members say new york's religious diversity is playing out in similar ways th